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Magnetosomes intracellularly biomineralized by Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are membrane-enveloped nanoparticles of the magnetic minerals magnetite (Fe 3 O 4) or greigite (Fe 3 S 4). MTB thrive in oxic-anoxic interface and exhibit magnetotaxis due to the presence of magnetosomes. Because of the unique characteristic and bionavigation inspiration of magnetosomes, MTB has been a subject of study focused on by biologists, medical pharmacologists, geologists, and physicists since the discovery. We herein first briefly review the features of MTB and magnetosomes. The recent insights into the process and mechanism for magnetosome biomineralization including iron uptake, magnetosome membrane invagination, iron mineralization and magnetosome chain assembly are summarized in detail. Additionally, the current research progress in biotechnological applications of magnetosomes is also elucidated, such as drug delivery, MRI image contrast, magnetic hyperthermia, wastewater treatment, and cell separation. This review would expand our understanding of biomineralization and biotechnological applications of bacterial magnetosomes. [Display omitted] • General feature of magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosomes are reviewed. • Magnetosome mineralization processes and mechanism are proposed in detail. • Magnetosomes appear extensive applications in biomedicine and environment. • The prospects for future studies of bacterial magnetosomes were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]